Locking means



Sept 30, 1947- L. w. scHAAFF 2,428,341

' LOCKING MEANS Filed Aug. :50, 1944 IRP- OMM/mq i-atented Sept. 1.50,v 1494"?l LOCKING MEANS Louis W. Schaa, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignor to Waldes Koh-I-Noor, Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 30, 1944, Serial No. 551,904

This invention relates to improvements in locking means of the type adapted to secure a rotatable part such as a screw, bolt, nut and the like against rotation relative to a fixed part, and in its more specific aspects to a ring-type friction lock for securing yparts as aforesaid against relative rotation.

It is well known to use locking means employing an open spring ring having one vend operatively connected With the one part and the other end operatively connected with the other part to be secured against relative rotation. Usually, such a ring performs itsflocking function by having its ends disposed so that one end holds one part against rotation and its other end holds the second part against rotation. However, locking means employing an open spring ring as aforesaid are open to the objection that a definite positioning of the parts to be locked against relative rotation is required, so that theY ring ends can function as described, and moreover special recesses formed in one or both of the parts to be locked are required for the ends of the locking ring.

Stated broadly, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple and effective friction lock for securing a part such as a screw, nut, bolt or the like, against rotation relative to another usually xed part, in which the locking effect is independent of the relative position of said parts and/or of the position of the locking member relative to one of the parts to be locked, for example, the lixed part, It is a further object of the invention to simplify the construction of ring-type locking means as heretofore known by the provision of an improved locking means employing an open-ended spring ring which operates through friction to secure the parts against relative rotation and which thus requires no special recessing of the parts enabling them to receive the ring ends as heretofore required. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a locking means for securing parts against relative rotation which employs a friction locking ring of relatively inexpensive manufacture which can be readily applied to or removed from the parts to be locked Without permanent distortion and which, when assembled in its locking relation, provides a rugged, durable and effective locking assembly.

Other objects will be in part-obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the following analysis ofthe invention wherein are illustrated in detail preferred embodiments of 7 Claims. (Cl. 151-32) 2 the invention selected for the description.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of locking means according to the invention for locking cylindrically headed screw bolt against rotation relative to an associate-d xed part;

' Fig. 2 is a section' along line 2-2 of Fig. 1, the screw being shown in elevation;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2, showing the locking means of the invention applied as a lock for a -bolt having a head of hex formation;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of modified locking means according to the invention applied to a nut and bolt assembly;

Fig. 6 is a section along line 6 6 of Fig. 5, the bolt being shown in elevation.r

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, reference character I0 (Figs. 1 and 2) designates a, screw bolt having a cylindrical head I I positioned to secure together the plates I2 and I3, it being understood that the plates I2, I3 together are typical of a part relative to which the screw bolt I0 is secured against rotation by the lockingmeans 0f the present invention, As shown, the cylindrical head I I seats in acountersunk recess l5, dened by a, cylindrical wall which is formed in the fixed plate (plate I2), the recess being of somewhat larger diameter than the screw head II and being concentric therewith.

According to the invention, a locking member I6 disposed in the recess I5 about the head II functions to frictionally lock the head and hence the screw against rotation relative to the part I2. Such locking member is preferably in the form of an open-ended spring ring whose outer periphery delines the major arc of a circle and which is tapered in such manner that the section heights thereof decrease progressively from its mid-section to the ends thereof, whereby the ring is adapted to maintain its outer-edge circularity under deform-ation as when spread or compressed, for example. To facilitate handling of a ring as aforesaid, it is provided at its open ends with apertured ears I1, I8, the apertures I9, 20 thereof being adapted to receive the points of a pliertype tool for compressing the ring in the assembly and disassembly thereof.

As shown, the screw head II is formed with an abutment surface which in the illustrated construction takes the form of an axial edge rib 22 which is adapted to extend radially into the gap orslot between ythe open ends of the ring I6;

purpose of simple by friction. Moreover, due tothe property. of,

the ring in maintaining circularity under deformation, the expanded ring exerts substantial. pressure against the recessed wall equally, throughout its circumference. ble the ring, it is merely necessaryvto compress the ring to a diameter suchthat it canbeslipped over the screw head II, with its open'endsbeing.

disposed to the sides of the head rib 22 and into the recess I5. Upon release; the resiliency of the ring causes it to frictionally secure itself. to-` the circular wall of the recess.

By reference to Fig, 1l illustrating the, assembled pOsition f the lookingi'l'g,it' b b served that rotation of the screw audits head II in the direction of the arrowfcau's's'ftli head rib 22 to enga'gefagainst the'rigarfl'with a tendency to spreadthe ringl Inasmuch as any spreading f the ring" causes thela'ttert engag the wall recess I with increasedfrition, itfw'ill be lappreciated that' the`head"is'ffrictinally s'vecured against rotation as indicated'. "Aliniited reverse rotation of' the head results in engagement of rib 22 with the ring ear II,'wit h'a sirnilar tendency to spread the "ring, thus'to indrease its friction against the recess wallfl 5.1 "Hence, the screw is vfrictionally secured against `*any substantial rotation in the 'opposite direction also.

When it is desired to unthread the screw I il, for example, to disassemble the screwfrom plates I2 and I3, the ring is compressed' Vby inserting the points of a plier` type handling tool into the ear apertures I9, 20 and thering's thereupon lifted from the recess I 5, wherepon the screw may befre'elyrotatedl `J Substantially the same form o f Vlocking means is illustrated in Figsf and 4 'applied to abolt having a hex head 26. `Asshown,`the'bolt func; tions to secure together the plates 2,1,` Zalthugh it will be understood that theboltnay be thread'-l ed into other or equivalent parts, relativ'to which it is desired to lock the bolt against rotation. The relatively fixed part (plate 27) is'` provided with a countersunk recess3`9'of somewhat larger diameter than the major diameter'l ofthe head,

for seating the tapered spring ring 32 correspond-y ing to the tapered locking YringfIIii previously de scribed, formed at its open 'endswith aperture ears 33, 34 to facilitate handling thereof.

In assembly, the ring'issprunginto the recess 3|)v in position so that its ears, 3 3, 351, engage against one of the adjacent hats of thebolthead 26 which form a plurality'of abutment surfaces thereon. Thus, assuming rotation of the head 2S in the direction ofthe full linemarrow A(Fig, 3), the inclined flatvZBa ofthe head engages `ring ear 33tending to spreadthe ring, with the ref sult that the ring grips the recessjwall with. in-A creased friction, thereby" to secure the head against any substantial rotation. Uponr rotation of the head in the opposite direction, the inclined flat 2Gb of the head engages against ringear34 and in Similar manner. ceases. the, ries toeriaagainst the recess wall with increased friction,V Accord; ingly the belilis. Seemed again-St. any substantial. rotation in.. either direotion ;relaftive vtfgvplate l2l,.-

Thus, to assent:A

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6, illustrating locking means according to the invention applied to a nut and bolt assembly, the 4bolt 38 there shown operates to secure together the plates 39, 40, a nut -4I being threaded on to the shank of the bolt. To secure the nut and bolt against relative rotation, the open or outer end ofthe-nut is countersunk toprovide a circmarj' recess. 4.2 into whijcrfa 'diam'etcauy extending abutment rib 43 formed on the shank end of; the bolt is adapted to project. A tapered ring 44. corresponding to the rings I6 and 32 of the priormodications is sprung into the recess 42, and;A positioned therein so that the rib 43 projects into the `sloti'or gap between the apertured ears f 45, 4.6 provided at." the open ends of the ring.

lyreference to Eig. 5, it will be seen that rotationof :the nut 4I relative to the bolt 38 in the. direction of the arrow results in engagement between the bolt rib 43; and the ring ear 45, as tends to spr ad the ring and. thereby increase 'vs tftne 'wail of the' nut. recess 4.2.

be Seen that. relative. mation. haw.. A 4' |l andasfbpit fsyisi precluded .by the friction locking efeotoffspriigifillgi;A" VS/Thile..` @"lokris Ying.. asf aforesaid normally. engagefsjagntthe silrroiifrding wallfof. the recess. with.. tot@ ent fric torestram the ringfag'ainstjaxi h displacement, itjmayjbe ,advisf' able under'soirie conditions', for 'example where theAlo/ckedasmfinbly isv subieotedto excessive vibration, to Sijetmefthe ring "sq tnatfit' qannot axially shia out of its-recess. Under' Siih con-v aidons, it -is bestiole tol provide', an` undercut gOOi/.fatthe bawf themes@ l5, Swed 42,*int`o whichf the locking rings` can be sprung, softhatfan axial shifting of4 the'ring out of the recess even under conditions of eaoessive vibraf tionis positively prevented, while at the same time the ring is capabler of beingreadily assent-v bled yand" disassembldas aforesaid.

From 4theforegoing, it willbeobvious that with locking, means," at:cordiri'g'r to 'theiria/'ent ionl it is not 'necessay `tofprovideY speial'.. means the l'finer receiving -re'cess engaging h with the ring ends, orfor positively engagin'gthe'ring ends either'fwith the rotatable or"v thefied part of the Iloclrii'ig 'assembly' because tlgi'e, v ring is'` 'effectively 'held by its frictiozna'gaist therecesswall; On the other hand, thel'ockigmeans of the in-` vention achieves' 'airi'ctioii' lo'ck'- between a rotatable' part and a relatedrelatively fixed part which is' characterized by 'an 'increase in 'the friction locking effect with rotation ofthe rotatablepait'. At .th'e'same 'time 'the locking means 'as described is ofthe typethatmay'be feadilydisassembled withoutthe' danger of"distorting lor deforming the locked "parts'or the'locking ing as would prevent theirre-useor :re-#assembly 'Moreoven the`invention; provides 'locking 'means of inegipensive yet vdurable 'construction and at the same time Vone that :cani-be assembled arid;v disassembled with theminimum ofv timef'and effort.'

A's many changescouldbej made in. carrying out I the'above constructionsfwthout departingv from the scope of the invention, it is intendedlthat all matter contained .in the f above description or shownw in. the l.aceompariving .drawings shall .be interpretedv as illustrative andnot in L a Ylimiting sense.`V

I claim:

1. In a locking assembly of the character described, the combination of a rotatable part, a fixed part, one of said parts having a countersunk recess, the other part extending into said recess and being provided with abutment surfaces, and an open-ended spring ring whose outer periphery defines the major arc of a circle springseated in the recess and being secured therein solely by the tight frictional engagement of its outer edge with the circular wall of said recess, said abutment surfaces extending into the gap between the open ends of said ring, the relation of said surfaces to ring ends being such that relative rotation of said parts results in an abutment surface engaging against one or the other ring ends and a consequent spreading of the ring into tighter frictional engagement with the recess wall.

2. A locking assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ring is tapered from its mid section to its free ends, so that it maintains circularlty under deformation.

3. A locking assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ring is tapered from its mid section to its free ends so as to maintain circularity under deformation whereby in its contracted state theA ring has tight frictional engagement with the recess wall throughout its full circumference, and wherein the ring ends are formed as ears provided with apertures adapted to receive the working points of a ring handling tool.

4 In a locking assembly of the character described, the combination of a rotatable screwthreaded part having a head, a xed part into which said first part is threaded and having a countersunk recess into which the head of the rst part extends, and an open-ended spring ring whose outer periphery defines the major arc of a circle spring-seated in the recess and being lsecured therein solely by the tight frictional engagement of its outer edge with the circular wall of said recess, the head being formed to provide abutment surfaces which extend into the gap between the open ends of the ring, the relation of said surfaces to ring ends being such that rotation of the rotatable part relative to the fixed part results through engagement of an abutment surface with one or the other of the ring ends in spreading of the ring and a consequent tighter frictional engagement thereof with the recess wall.

5. In a locking assembly of the character described, the combination of a rotatable screwthreaded part having a head, a fixed part into which said first part is threaded and having a countersunk recess into which the head ofv the first part extends, .and an open-ended spring ring spring-seated in the recess and being secured therein solely by the tight frictional engagement of its outer edge with the circular wall of said recess, the head being formed with a radial rib which extends into the gap between the open ends of the ring, the relation of the rib to ring ends being such that rotation of the rotatable part with its head and rib effects spreading of the ring into tighter frictional engagement with the recess wall through engagement of the rib with one or the other of the ring ends.

6. In a. locking assembly of the character described, the combination of a rotatable screwthreaded part having a head, a fixed part into which said rst part is threaded and having a countersunk recess into which the head of the rst part extends, and an open-ended spring ring spring-seated in the recess and being secured therein solely by the tight frictional engagement of its outer edge with the circular wall of said recess. the head having angularly related iiat surfaces which extend into the gap between the open ends of the ring, the relation of said angularly related fiat surfaces to ring ends being such that rotation of the rotatable part and its head effects spreading of the ring into tighter frictional engagement with the recess wall through engagement of said surfaces with one or the other of the ring ends.

7. A locking nut assembly comprising the combination of a bolt having a threaded shank provided at its free end with a rib, a nut threaded on to said shank, the nut being provided with a countersunk recess into which said rib projects, and an open-ended spring ring spring-seated in the recess with its outer edge having tight frictional engagement with the circular wall of said recess, said rib extending into the gap between the open ends of the ring and being operative, upon relative rotation of nut and bolt, to engage against one or the other of the ring ends thereby to eifect spreading of the ring into tighter frictional engagement with the recess wall.

LOUIS W. SCI-IAAFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 718,776 Levy Jan. 20, 1903 771,139 Fudge Sept. 27, 1904 1,235,205 Kierstead July 31, 1917 1,328,399 Reddy Jan. 20, 1920 1,339,015 Blake May 4, 1920 1,711,861 Stallard May 7, 1929 1,758,515 Heiermann May 13, 1930 2,131,948 Graham Oct. 4, 1938 2,203,219 Jackman June 4, 1940 2,400,318 Rosan May 14, 1946 OTHER. REFERENCES Ser. No. 411,076, Jacob (A. P. C.), published May 11, 1943. 

